🔗 Share this article US Imposes Restrictions on Network Accused of Recruiting South American Fighters to the Sudanese Conflict. The Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of four people and four firms charged of recruiting Colombian mercenaries to combat alongside and instruct a armed faction in Sudan that Washington accuses of genocidal acts. Operation Structure Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the US Treasury Department stated the operation was mostly comprised of Colombian nationals and companies. Numerous of ex-soldiers from Colombia have reportedly travelled to the conflict in Sudan to operate with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a force accused of severe violations such as targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions. Emergence of Involvement The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered the previous year, following an investigation which disclosed that over three hundred former soldiers had been hired to engage in combat – an discovery that prompted an rare mea culpa from officials in Bogotá. Former Colombian military have long been considered as highly prized fighters in conflict zones due to their extensive battlefield experience resulting from a long-running domestic war, training on Western military gear, and superior tactical education. Reported Actions In the Sudanese theater, the Colombians have reportedly trained minors, instructed militiamen in drone operation, and engaged in frontline combat. One source remarked that working with child soldiers was "horrific and irrational" but noted that "unfortunately that’s how war is". Sanctioned Individuals Among those targeted was a retired Colombian officer, a citizen of both Colombia and Italy and retired Colombian military officer based in the United Arab Emirates. The government said he had a pivotal function in enlisting and transporting ex-military personnel to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, was also sanctioned. Also on the penalty list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a individual with Colombian and Spanish citizenship who officials alleged oversaw a company linked to processing money and salaries for the network. "In 2024 and 2025, US-based firms linked to Duque engaged in multiple financial transactions, worth millions," the government release stated. Individual Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be penalized, with the entity she oversaw alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his businesses. "The United States again calls on foreign parties to halt the flow of funding and arms to the combatants," the department stated. Analyst Commentary A senior analyst, from a conflict think tank, called the actions as a "very significant" development, noting that "calling out those who are doing the contracting is the right way to go". It was also noted that, Colombia recently passed a statute endorsing the anti-mercenary convention, seeking to reduce its citizens' long history in international fights and change national security policy. Sean McFate, an expert on mercenaries, urged more caution, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for dealing with the growing mercenary trade". "This is a shadow economy and operating from the Emirates, which is difficult to penalize," he commented. The UAE has been repeatedly implicated of arming the RSF, an accusation it has denied. "Expect more Colombian mercenaries," he advised.